"Around 1,500 houses have been damaged because of incessant rains that started on Wednesday," the official said.

Both rail and road traffic in Jammu region have been affected by rains and ensuing landslides.

Landslides occurred at Batote, Bannihal and Udhampur on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, bringing traffic to a halt. Efforts are on to open the highway and traffic department officials said the road would open on Saturday.

Most of the destruction and loss of life have happened because of the swollen Tawi and Chenab rivers. Swollen waters of the Chenab washed away a temple and a school building in Bakore (Jourian) village in Jammu district.

The administration has already sounded an alert in the region. Relief and rescue operations are being monitored from control rooms. The weather office has issued an adverse weather advisory, forecasting moderate rains in Jammu region till Monday, with isolated heavy downpour at a few places.